No make or model is immune to ever tougher laws covering emissions and safety, and even an off-road staple like the Toyota Prado will have to change eventually.

But that’s the important word; ‘eventually’.

The latest facelift of the vehicle broke cover in Australia last week, and even though many eyebrows were raised at the news that no driveline upgrades or improvements were included in the update, Toyota itself doesn’t see a problem.

Drive spoke with the father of the current Prado and LandCruiser ranges, Toyota chief engineer Sadayoshi Koyari, to ask about the future of Prado.

Neither is Toyota in a rush to introduce new electronics systems whether they be for driver aids, safety or performance and efficiency.

“We have a target for this, but we don’t think the performance of an off-road vehicle should be all down to electronics. We think the driver still wants to play a part in the process.”

Other compromises will also continue, including mounting the spare-tyre of some of its models on the outside of the vehicle, reducing rear vision.

“Like the Middle East, Australian buyers have issues with fuel range. In other markets which don’t require the same fuel capacity, we can mount the spare tyre under the car, but in Australia we will continue to mount it on the rear door.”